Fewer vouchers will only increase housing needs

Manhattan: The editorial supporting Mayor Mamdani’s appeal of the CityFHEPS expansion (“Mamdani now gets it,” March 26) correctly notes that increasing the supply of affordable housing is essential. But New York City can not wait for future housing production to address the immediate loss of housing faced by low-income tenants in Housing Court or to move families out of homeless shelters and into stable homes. Proven programs like CityFHEPS exist precisely to bridge that gap, helping households stay housed and preventing avoidable homelessness.

While the precise parameters of the CityFHEPS expansion may be subject to negotiation, the urgency of the crisis is not. New Yorkers facing eviction today can not wait for the resolution of a lengthy appeals process. Every delay means more families losing their homes and more people entering a shelter system that is already strained and enormously expensive — precisely the kind of avoidable cost the city should be preventing as it confronts a mounting budget crisis.

The mayor campaigned on fully implementing the CityFHEPS reforms and expansion laws, recognizing how lifesaving these vouchers are. The longer this process drags on, the more low-income New Yorkers in desperate need of housing stability will see that promise pushed further out of reach. Adriene Holder, civil practice chief attorney, The Legal Aid Society

Beyond tragic

Rockaway Point: All politicians are talk, talk, talk and it’s all B.S. A 7-month-old baby was killed by these punks (“Baby in stroller slain,” April 2). Put them behind bars. That poor family. Enough is enough. Regina Mangan

Torture by proxy

Bronx: The unsettling March 31 story “Beau charged in horrific killing of cat” serves as a harsh reminder that animal cruelty and intimate partner violence (IPV) are not isolated acts. Research demonstrates that one of the ways abusers control and punish the targets of their abuse is by harming or threatening to harm those individuals’ companion animals. The results of Kitty’s necropsy are horrific. This heinous incident appears to be a deliberate act intended to punish the victim by exploiting her love for her pet. If the defendant in this case is convicted, I believe even the maximum penalties aren’t enough. While Buster’s Law was a critical step in recognizing aggravated animal cruelty as a felony in New York, more must be done to support both human and animal survivors of IPV, including increasing access to pet-friendly domestic violence shelters, improving cross-reporting between agencies, and enacting stronger penalties for abusers. Chelsea Alexis Gomez

Severity disparity

Manhattan: Surprisingly, the case against Luigi Mangione is getting more ridiculous every day (“Feds cut Luigi slack on timing,” April 2). What forces are at work in our justice system? Why is his “stalking” not considered premeditation, and why should it be dropped as an issue? I smell corruption. And the comment about his fans outside the jail, is that any evidence to mitigate the horror of the murder? This is the second recent case that defies sound judgment. Ryan Routh receives a life sentence for attempted assassination while those convicted of murder are receiving much lighter sentences. I hope there’s an investigative reporter who will pursue these flagrant miscarriages of justice. Jack Weiss

Too graphic

Brooklyn: Why does the Daily News feel it’s necessary to publish photos of actual blood on the street (“City homicides down 30%,” April 2)? It’s repulsive, disgusting and disrespectful to the victims. Do better, or consider hiring people who paint a vivid enough picture with words rather than having to lean on photographers who seem to have an obscene bloodlust. There are enough reports of death and murder without having pictures of the bloody aftermath. Wanda Peakes

Playground pushover

Scarsdale, N.Y.: I get the feeling that House Speaker Mike Johnson was the kind of kid President Trump gave wedgies to in high school. Harvey Wielstein

Irrelevant outrage

Merrick, L.I.: Last weekend, we had protests across the country for “No Kings” regarding Trump. Is this truly how far the Democratic Party has fallen? Dancing frogs and lice, a “Mad Max” cosplay in a wheelchair, dragging individuals with dog collars? Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii said it best: “Trump is not, will not, or ever be a king!” No, he’s not. He’s the duly elected president of the United States. To see Hollywood elites Jane Fonda and Robert De Niro trying to regain relevance was hilarious. Bruce Springsteen, the working man’s artist who has made his money off the working man — you can’t make it up. The protests were so irrelevant that Trump never posted about it, and he posts about everything. Donald Ziminski

Getting what they give

Brooklyn: It’s clear that the Iran war isn’t the walk in the park Trump predicted it would be. I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I’m pleased that Israel’s good fortune is on the wane and its blatant genocide, racism and imperialism is now shown for what it is. Their duplicitous conduct during negotiations is countered by the cold honesty of Iranian missiles. Iran practices honest bludgeon work. My only reservation about what’s happening is that there might be many American soldiers thrown into this debacle by our demented president. For that, I am deeply sad. I worry about their welfare. Nick Smith

On the back foot

Hoffman Estates, Ill.: Trying to forecast Trump’s next move in the Iran war is a fool’s errand. He never anticipated the economic blowback. Now he’s like an infant playing Whac-A-Mole with a huge plastic hammer. Jim Arneberg

Choice words

Matawan, N.J.: In support of Voicer John Landers’ letter, whenever you get a dollar bill with DJT’s signature on it, using a black Sharpie, write over his name: “coward,” “bone spurs,” “I’d rather be playing golf,” “nothing matters besides me and my family,” “a MAGA failure” or something to that effect. Then vote out every Republican in November who did nothing to eliminate the problems of the American people while they collect their paychecks, get free health care for life and wait for their pensions to kick in. Oh, did I mention a war he started but has no way to get us out? God bless our troops, who I hope the Orange Crush doesn’t use to commit us to a ground war with much loss of life. Slava Ukraini! Robert Wyshynski

Skin in the game

Forest Hills: If we’re going to put “boots on the ground,” Don Jr., Eric Trump and Jared Kushner all serve. No excuses. Put some skin in the game and see how quick you are to declare war. Other people’s kids are not disposable, and Pete Hegseth should lead the way. Stew Frimer